[EBB Sightings] Albany Mudflats- Greater Yellowlegs, Wigeon- pic

The Albany Mudflats at low tide is certainly an enjoyable bird watching and bird photography spot. The light is always behind you and on a sunny day shines all the way into the 'golden hour' before sunset.

At low tide, the creek which feeds into the mudflats 'converts' to a freshwater channel snaking its way through the flats to the bay. Many birds- avocets, shovelers, wigeons and green-winged teal - take advantage of this time to bathe and drink its waters.

Others, continue to scour the flats for food- red-necked stilts, semi-palmated plovers, peeps, dunlins, and killdeer.

Here's a shot of a Greater Yellowlegs flying off to another foraging spot along the freshwater channel...

http://www.pbase.com/vnelson/image/103711642

and a wigeon in flight...

http://www.pbase.com/vnelson/image/103656527

It's a great spot, not so much for rarities but for abundance.